How important was it in WW2 that Canada sent Britain men, weapons, food, resources, etc, before the US?

Question

entered the war.

I do know at the end of the war they had the 3rd biggest navy in the world (distant behind US).

Would Britain have been able to hang on without those 2-3 years of Canadian resources?

I am well aware of the US lend/lease program. Some of you never mentioned this term and acted as if the US 'gave' these ships. In fact, it was only this year what the UK fully paid its war debt to America.
Canada never sent England a bill.

some great well thought out answers so far, except for one

Answer 1

Not many people realize that little Britain did have the resources of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. If it was not for these countries, Britain would have crumbled. For the people with the U.S. bragging about helping, the U.S. was selling to Britain, not giving, in fact through lend - lease program, the U.S. still has bases in England that we got in exchange for vital supplies going to England

Answer 2

Canada has been under the wing of the Brits for centuries, What your talking about is more of a political thing. The Aussies like Canada were there. I think Britain would've been able to hang on but with much more difficulties. I also think that without the help of Canadians and others, (you must remember they had France, India, Australians just to name a few.) If Canada and others weren't involved the U. S. (F. D.Roosevelt) would've found a reason to jump in. The US was already sending massive amounts of war materials yrs. before officially declaring war on Germany.
I personally believe the US (Roosevelt) had prior knowledge of the attack on Pearl Harbor. For example; Don't you find it strange that ALL US Carriers were out to sea on the morning of the attack?
Also,several other things have been brought out over the years to make one scratch their head. But, back to your original question, yes I think Canada had a very important role in holding off the Axis Forces till it became a global conflict.

Answer 3

Hello,

In my opinion it was certainly helpful but not the be all and end all. Much of the equipment Canada got came from the US anyway. Though she was not involved physically in the first two years of the war, she certainly helped out Canada with supplies and weapons (lend-lease et al) to be sent overseas.
Many Americans joined the Canadian army and airforce; my Uncle Tex being one.

It was the American industrial might that really won the war. For every plane or ship lost, dozens more were built each week to replace losses; even Stalin himself openly admitted that Russia too would have lost the war were it not for American capitalistic industrial might.

Cheers,

Michael Kelly

Answer 4

Very important. Germany had U-boat blockades, sinking everything they came in contact with.

English merchant marine could not keep up. England needed resources. If Canada had not kept up supplies, England would have gone down.

Popular US at that time was against going to war with Germany. Even the catholic pope at that time was for Germany. Kennedy was the ambassador to England, and he was crooked. Kennedy was a war profiteer and made huge profits selling supplies to England. He had no intention of the US wanting to go into war. He was making good money.

Also through Switzerland, US industry 's such as steel and other resources were making a killing selling to both Germany and England they defiantly wanted status quo and I am sure lobbied for no war.

US had covert ways that they supplied, men, money, food supplies, resources,equipment, and vessels and that was through Canada.

Better question would be why didn't the US shut down Switzerland with sanctions when the US army intelligence knew Nazi war spoils and money were being laundered through there to supply its war effort.

The real power in the US are the corporations.

Answer 5

It is doubtful that Britian would have lasted without material support of Canada. Their material helped Britian hang on through some tough times. Although there were Canadians there was no Canada. Canada was a British dominion established in 1867. (Nominaly following the crowns cue). Canda most likely did not have the industrail base nessary to help win the war outright. At the end of the war, what few axis ships that were afloat were sunk.

Answer 6

It is not the importance of a country that forces countries to send troupes from all over the world !

It is the need and help that the population requires in order of defending them and protect their country.

When Canada sent troupes to England before the USA did , it was because Canada was at the the time part of the British Empire /Colony if you will.

According to what I have learned in history , yes Britain was able to hang on without the Canadian;s help but they needed men and women to join the war to form a unity . Europe need help and they got it at a very high cost of life lost and destruction.

Answer 7

Canada was originally controlled by Great Britain and still retains ties to British royalty. This is why they were involved with helping to defend Britain.

Britain had many allies in the war and thankfully the United States entered the war and helpe to defeat the evil of that time. The United States helped save the world from tyranny and evil and continues to help the world to this day.

Answer 8

The vested interest was primarily that Canada was (and still is) part of the Commonwealth. Britain being the mother country, and most respected in all of Canada - except in Francophone Québec which resisted forced enlisment - Canadian felt obliged to go help the Mother Country. So the bond was stronger and the gut reaction "primal".

Answer 9

Simply because the Canadians were members of the British Commonwealth. They had no hesitation in helping out Britain in its time of need.

For the ignorant with regards Canadian Military there was do difference between the amount of French-Canadians and British Canadians volunteering for service in Britain in the early days of WW2, mainly French and British Canadians from the very first volunteers dying in the same 24 hour period during the disastrous raid on Dieppe.

1000 dead in the first 12 hours, with total losses involved running up to 3,000 total of KIA., WIA., & MIA.

Answer 10

Very important. It bridged the gap until the US got involved.

The most important thing that they did, was assist in keeping the shipping lanes open, which ultimately was a deciding factor in getting the Congress to send aid to Great Britain.